Staff Handbook

Staff Handbook

Welcome to Tŷ Gwyn School The main purpose of our school is the effective teaching and learning of our pupils. Everyone employed at Tŷ Gwyn has an important role to play for us to achieve this and the smooth running of our school is extremely important. Co-operation between everyone is essential.

This handbook endeavours to clarify, for all staff, school’s customs, expectations and procedures for routine day-to-day management and administration.

Introduction This booklet is intended to provide you with some basic information about Tŷ Gwyn Special School. Please take some time to read it, particularly if it is your fist visit to the school. If, after reading this book you still have questions that remain unanswered then please ask any member of staff- they will be pleased to have the opportunity to share some of their knowledge of the school and pupils with you. We hope that you enjoy your time with us.

The School’s Vision and associated Aims Tŷ Gwyn School Induction Handbook April 2021

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“Every pupil has the right to an education of high quality, where everyone is valued and encouraged to respect others, enabling them to become ethically informed citizens.

We believe that every pupil should have the opportunity to learn and develop to their full potential within a positive, nurturing environment supporting them to become ambitious capable learners.

Our highly creative multi-sensory curriculum supports all pupils to actively problem solve through first hand experiences, enabling them to become enterprising creative contributors.

Pupils will be encouraged to develop independence in all aspects of learning in order to become healthy confident individuals, preparing them for work experience, and their lives beyond school.”

Our commitment to this vision means that we strive to: • Provide a broad, appropriate and stimulating curriculum, which challenges each child and enables them to succeed.

• Acknowledge and respect the individuality of each pupil where everyone is a valued member of the school community.

• Recognise our particular contribution within the child’s development and offer positive preparation for their adult life.

• Work with parents / carers as partners in their child’s education and offer them professional support, information and guidance.

• Develop and sustain close community contacts for the whole school, encouraging inclusion across a wide spectrum, where appropriate.

• Maintain access for all pupils to high quality resources and expertise within an attractive environment, including specialised provision, in order that individual need can be met.

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• Recognise that our staff team is the school’s prime resource and that valuing, supporting and developing staff is central to our pupils’ achievements.

School Times: The school day for all staff begins at 8.45am.

The school day for pupils: Starts - 9.15 am. Finish - 3.15 pm.

Staff Finish times: 3:30 (Permanent staff 4.30 every Tuesday) Morning break: Lunch:

15 minutes 30 minutes

Staff workshops and training are held on Tuesday evenings - refer to the twilight timetable in class for further details.

Bus duty for all permanent staff - refer to timetable.

The School Day 1. Check into the office on your first day at Tŷ Gwyn. Admin staff will take a copy of your DBS for our central system if this has not already been completed and arrange for your initial induction. They will sign you in and take your necessary details.

2. Class registers - Registers need to be completed on SIMS as soon as pupils have finished transitioning into school, this needs to be no later than 9.45.

3. Lunch registers for pupils – the class lunch register can be collected from outside the office each morning and should be returned to reception as soon as registration has taken place.

4. Morning briefing- this takes place EVERY morning in the hall, beginning at 9 am and all classroom staff should be present. This is a time for sharing information about the day ahead, reviewing arrangements, disseminating information and announcing any changes etc.

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5. Arrival of pupils - teaching staff meet pupils immediately after the morning briefing and complete attendance/dinner register before commencing with their class timetable.

6. Home books - these are used to communicate with parents on a daily basis. Please check each morning for messages from home. At the end of the day these need to be completed, noting pupils’ activities etc during the day.

If, at any time, there are concerns about their content, please see a member of SLT. 7. Toileting procedures - the toileting needs of the individuals within your class will be explained to you be the class team.

Please ask a member of staff for further details.

Lunchtime Most classes eat their lunch in the dinner hall and the first sitting begins at 11.45a.m. The staff present will know the feeding requirements of all the pupils. For pupils with specific feeding requirements there are “Consistent feeding programmes”. Support staff, teachers and lunchtime supervisors assist during this time.

There are a mixture of structured and free play activities for all pupils between 11.45 and 1.30. Please refer to the timetable for further details. Weather permitting; most pupils will engage in structured play activities in the outside play areas.

Home-time Home/school books are completed, giving details of classroom events, any illness, forthcoming trips or school events. School finishes at 3.15pm and staff accompany pupils to the hall, the front of the school or to their designated transport.

Please ensure that bags, home books, letters etc are sent home with the relevant pupils. There will be staff present who know the specific requirements of pupils in your class-please check these.

Late Bus Duty On occasions there may be a problem that causes one or more of the buses to arrive late. There is a rota for late bus duty, please check the timetable.

Assemblies Tŷ Gwyn School Induction Handbook April 2021

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The R.E. co-ordinator organises the assembly rota. Each class is expected to lead an assembly once per term. The assembly timetable can be found under teachershare and assembly.

Primary assemblies are held on Thursday afternoons and Secondary assemblies are on Friday afternoons. During this time certificates are awarded for good work and /or behaviour and birthdays are also celebrated.

Respite Provision Many pupils will often have respite provision after school. Should you become aware of a problem, please inform the office or one of the SLT as soon as possible. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY.

Nurses / Medical Routines There are a team of trained nurses within the school who deal with all the medical needs and / or health concerns of the pupils. They ensure that medication and / or any specialised feeding requirements are given to the relevant pupils.

If at any time during the day you are concerned with the health of a pupil or are faced with a medical emergency you will find a medical button near the classroom door. When this is pressed you will have immediate help. If in doubt-get help, don’t hesitate.

Physiotherapy There is a physiotherapist team in school who will, during the course of the day, attend to the needs of pupils requiring Physio input. If a pupil in your class requires assistance from the Physio, they will either be collected directly by some body from the Physiotherapy department or a member of your Support Staff may take them to the physio department.

The Physiotherapists or education staff following a physio programme may also carry out some treatment within the classroom area. The physios are available for advice.

Manual Handling/Moving Pupils All classrooms and the main changing area have access to hoists.

These should be used when lifting or transferring the pupils from one form of seating to another. Please ask your class team, one of our trained Manual Handling Instructors or a member of the physiotherapy team for specific advice.

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STAFF - DO NOT LIFT PUPILS!!!

Positive Handling Some of our pupils present extremely challenging behaviour.

Occasionally, the decision is made to use positive handling techniques to manoeuvre pupils for their own safety and for the safety of others. Only staff members trained in TEAM TEACH are permitted to use positive handling with pupils. Please contact a member of SLT for more information.

Communication All of the experiences/activities presented to the pupils at Tŷ Gwyn aim to encourage and develop early skills in communication.

Makaton signing is used throughout the school and is supported by the use of symbols, objects of reference, PECS (picture exchange communication system), and a whole school sensory timetable.

Speech & Language Therapy The Speech and Language therapy team work with identified pupils and class teams to promoting each child’s communication and feeding skills.

They assess and review pupils, then set up individual programmes in consultation with teachers and parents. The programmes are carried out on an individual or group basis and pupils are usually seen in class.

The Speech and Language therapy team promote all aspects of communication including understanding and expression in children from pre-verbal level to the more linguistically able.

Communication systems include Makaton, Objects of Reference and the Picture Exchange Communication System (P.E.C.S.).

The Speech and Language therapy team provide training to staff and parents on a regular basis.

Occupational Therapy We have a team of Occupational Therapists who work in Tŷ Gwyn School. The Occupational Therapists will prioritise their work to provide: • Seating assessments and reviews of seating equipment to promote postural management and skill development.

• Daily living equipment assessment to promote safety and development of skills with toilet equipment, feeding equipment and handling / lifting equipment.

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• Developmental skill assessment in liaison with school staff for access to play and information technology.

They work closely with school staff and other health professionals based at Tŷ Gwyn, and other multi disciplinary professionals and equipment suppliers.

Consistent Handling Forms These will provide you with essential information regarding the handling and behaviour management of the pupils in your class.

These are usually stored in individual pupil profiles.

For further information regarding the management of pupils in your class please speak with the class team or a member of SLT. Classroom Organisation Each class has a timetable that will be displayed in the classroom and can also be found in the teachers planning file. It is important that you follow this timetable in order to provide the pupils with structure and continuity.

Mobile Phones All mobile phones must be switched to silent at the start of each day. Staff are not to use phones throughout the school day, except during break / lunch times and this should only be in the staffroom. Staff should not be using mobile phones during ‘Teaching Times.’ Our pupils require the full attention of the staff within their class during each school day.

Organising trips and outings On every school journey the teacher is responsible for the pupils in their charge to the Head, parents and L.E.A. The following procedure is intended for your guidance and is important as follows: • Plan the feasibility of your trips and the educational aims for your pupils.

• A risk assessment must be completed for all regular trips using EVOLVE which will be checked and approved by a member of SLT. • Please seek approval from a member of SLT prior to completing EVOLVE for any additional outings / visits.

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• Ensure staff / pupil ratio is appropriate.

• Ensure you always have details of each pupil and member of staff with you, (eg address, phone number, G.P. details of medication etc).

• Check on timing of travel arrangements, facilities for refreshments, toileting / changing areas, hazards and costs.

• Check the availability of a nurse if one is required. Also check with a nurse whether any medication is required for any of the pupils.

Confidentiality In our conversations with, and induction of visitors regarding students, the important and sensitive issue of confidentiality is an essential element. We have an Open Door policy and while there is nothing secretive about our work, we have a professional and moral responsibility towards our pupils and their families. As staff, we are involved in a ‘trust’ with parents, professionals and visitors.

This includes confidentiality, tact, judgement, respect and understanding which is bound by the data protection act.

Sickness If you are unwell and unable to work, it is essential that you contact the Head of school before 7.30am on the first morning of sickness or the evening before. You should state how many days you will be off for or call the school daily by 2pm if you are unsure. This communication is essential to organise appropriate cover. If you remain unwell and are unable to work after 7 days, you must obtain a medical certificate from your doctor.

On return to school for any length of absence due to illness, you must see the office manager where a return to work will be completed.

Leave of Absence If you require leave of absence for any reasons you must complete a form requesting leave of absence in advance to the Head of School.

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If for any urgent reason you need to leave school during the school day, please see a member of SLT before you leave and again on your return.

Child Protection The schools designated child protection officer is Diane Stone (Head of School). If she cannot be contacted, concerns should be passed to the deputy child protection officer who is Jamie Brotherton (Deputy Head of School). If both are unavailable concerns can be passed to Matt Thomas and Tammy Lloyd (Assistant Head) who are bother designated safeguarding officers.

Posters with their photos are displayed in all rooms within the school. Please ask the office staff to locate a child protection officer if you are unable to locate them. Any concerns regarding child protection, should be reported as a matter of urgency!

Staff Dress Code Clothing Smart casual at all times.

• No ripped jeans.

• No inappropriate motifs on shirts or t-shirts.

• No shorts except tailored and knee length.

• No baseball caps.

Midriff/cleavage/underwear Midriff, cleavage and underwear should not be exposed.

Footwear Flat closed in shoes, boots, trainers, or low-heeled shoes/boots, at all times. No open toed shoes or sandals.

Nails We expect staff to have appropriate nails for working with pupils.

False nails need to be an appropriate length.

Tattoos No inappropriate tattoos on display.

Hair styles We expect staff to have appropriate hairstyles for working in a professional environment.

Body piercing The following are acceptable: Tŷ Gwyn School Induction Handbook April 2021

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• Ear studs • Small, discrete nose studs Hidden piercings at the risk of the staff member but they must not present a Health and Safety risk to any pupil.

The following are not acceptable: • Dangling hooped earrings.

• Large nose studs.

• Pierced lips.

• Pierced eyebrow.

• Any other visible piercings • Dress rings.

Grievances The school’s policy is to encourage free communication between staff and their respective leaders to ensure that questions and/or problems arising can be aired and, wherever possible, resolved quickly and informally to the satisfaction of all.

Every effort is made to resolve any problems on an informal basis.

The school’s Grievance Policy and Procedure should be followed in respect of grievances that, for whatever reason, cannot be resolved informally.

Health and Safety All school staff are required to: Make themselves familiar with and conform to the School’s Health and Safety Policy.

Accidents / Injuries If you are involved in an accident or sustain an injury at school there are numerous designated first aid staff who can assist you.

You must then complete an accident form (available from the office) and report this to a member of Senior Leadership.

Staff Wellbeing The Headteacher and the Leadership team have all had mental health first aid training and will always be willing to assist or offer advice to any member of staff who have a particular wellbeing problem. Information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Social Fund The school operates a fund so that cards / chocolates / flowers can be sent to colleagues if they are experiencing prolonged illness / ill health and for leaving gifts and special occasions.

A contribution of £16.00 a year or £8 every six months is made by all staff involved in the fund and is collected by our Social Committee: Cath Rowlands and Chris Owen.

Friends of Tŷ Gwyn School The Friends of Tŷ Gwyn is a social, fund raising and support network consisting of parents, staff and friends of the school They work tirelessly to support the work of Tŷ Gwyn and always welcome new members.

We hope this handbook is of help to you; if however you can think of any other useful additions to be included, please see Tammy Lloyd (Assistant Head)

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